Exeter City produced a smash-and-grab victory and the McCain Stadium, but their win was due mainly to an inept display from referee Jock Waugh.
The entertaining game would have finished as a deserved draw if it had not been for the Sheffield official, who made a string of baffling decisions.
Exeter did have the best of the early stages, and they would have gone in at the break well ahead but for Scarborough's debutant keeper Ian Dunbavin. After Jamie Mackie had hit the post in the opening few minues, Dunbavin saved from Jon Challinor and then from Jamie Mackie again as Exeter pressurised.
At the other end, Scarborough thought that they had taken the lead on the half hour when Ian Clark's corner seemed to have crossed the line, but Mr Waugh turned his back.
Exeter did finally make their breakthrough in the dying embers of the first half when Lee Fowler was a judged to have handled the ball on the edge of his own box. Craig Farrell dispatched the free-kick with glee.
The hosts took the game to Exeter after the break, but that only came after another surperb double save from Dunbavin.
Scarborough centre half Simon Weaver drove over and Ashley Lyth had a dangerous low cross cleared off the line.
In the final minutes Andy Parton charged into the area and he looked to have been pulled down by Exeter keeper Paul Jones. But the referee denied them a penalty and a deserved share of the spoils.